Monday, August 27, 2012

If you've been updating your web skills and have been looking for a good way to demonstrate that you know your stuff, Microsoft's new MCSD Web Applications track is a good choice. The first exam you'll want to take (just released) is 70-480: Programming HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3. Two other courses will be available in October on MVC4 and Windows Azure / Web Services.

This trio is perfect, covering client-side open standards web development, the Microsoft web platform on the server, and the Microsoft cloud platform. I'll admit I've been kind of cool toward Microsoft certifications in recent years as some of them seemed behind the times--but now that they are being updated with current technologies I'm very excited to have a good way to validate modern web skills.

I took and passed the 70-480 exam today, and although I was well-prepared for the subject matter I found the exam quite challenging. If someone passes this exam, they have my respect. You can't guess your way to a passing score.

Although I'm not permitted to share any details about the exam questions, I will share how I prepared for it:

• Pluralsight Online Training. My colleagues and I have been taking Pluralsight online training for about 10 months now. Pluralsight courses are done well and are taught by knowledgeable instructors. Although Pluralsight courses do have assessments, they are usually only around 8 questions or so. As such, I don't consider them sufficient in terms of coverage.
• Build Stuff. You've got to take these technologies you're learning about and build stuff with them. This is absolutely necessary. If you don't have HTML5/CSS/JavaScript project work readily available, do something on your own. One way or another, get hands-on experience: head knowledge alone won't cut it.
• w3schools. I like the http://w3schools.com site a lot: it's easy to navigate, is succinct, and includes lots of try-it-yourself examples with an easy to use online editor / test facility. Just before my exam, I browsed just about every page on HTML/HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript to fill gaps and refresh my memory. However, you should be aware this site has some accuracy problems. There are some better online references out there in terms of accuracy, but so far I haven't found them terribly accessible.

This exam--and the upcoming rest of the MCSD Web Applications certification track--are here just at the right time. I'm looking forward to taking the other exams in October.

47 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Hi David,

Congratulations on your success. I am planning to take the exam next month. I have some experience of HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript. Could you please tell me which type of questions were those? I mean give me some explanation.Thanks

Adeel, I'm not permitted to share any details about the exam questions. As the exam title implies, there are questions on HTML5, on JavaScript, and on CSS3. This is not an easy exam, you need a very good understanding of all three areas. If you haven't been actively doing project work in all 3 for at least a year, an individual probably wouldn't pass.

It would be interesting to know how much HTML5, JS and CSS experience you have and had before starting to study for this exam? Also you mention Pluralsight, was there any particular courses there you used, to prepare for this exam?

I've been working deeply in HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript for the last year (writing code every week). I recommend these Pluralsight courses for front-end web development and 70-480 exam preparation:• HTML5 Fundamentals• Introduction to CSS• CSS3• A Better CSS: LESS & SASS• JavaScript Fundamentals• Structuring JavaScript Code• jQuery Fundamentals

Hi, I also passed it. I took the exam back in June. Until today I came to know the result. I also read the Head First HTML5 book, many MSDN and internet articles. I had prior experience with CSS, HTML and javascript/jquery

Brian, I'm not aware of any practice materials yet from Microsoft for exam 70-480. However, since it is about open technologies there are lots of places to learn about them outside of Microsoft. I'd pay attention to the Skills Measured section for the exam http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?id=70-480#tab2

Hey, would you say it's possible to pass 70-480 without working on any real world projects? I'm currently a student so free time is hard to come by.

If I invested some time into reviewing the training materials and such (and attempted to understand the content that way, without any real world experience), would I have a reasonable chance of passing?

Also, this is my first planned attempt at a MS certification if I do go through with it, are there some general tips regarding such exams?

I wouldn't say it's impossible to pass 70-480 without real-world project work, but it certainly helps. In theory, enough internal practice would also suffice. By the way, Microsoft is current running a promotion where the 70-480 exam--as well as an online preparation course--are FREE for a limited time. See http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/offers/html5.aspx

For those who are preparing for the exam and wondering about what's covered, you can see the list of skills measured on our exam details page: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exam.aspx?ID=70-480#tab2

We also recently announced free online training, free ebook plus a free exam voucher for 70-480. Get the details on our blog: http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/btl/b/veronica/archive/2012/10/31/html5-free-training-exam-voucher-and-more.aspx

Hello David, I have some experience with web development. I've been working with classic ASP, JavaScript and HTML, quite old technologies. Now I've decided that is time to update my knowlege passing this exam and the following of this certifications (70-486, 70-487), and my objective is to make it on February or March. Now I'm colleting some stuff and start studying. Now I'm following this ebook;

Hey David, thanks so much for providing this information! I'll be taking the exam in less than 3 weeks, and I'm just trying to determine whether or not I need to do any studying of XML. As far as I can tell, I won't need to be proficient with it, but given so many references to it in some of the study material I've seen, I thought asking you would be a good idea.

Usually microsoft certifications have the passing score of 700 outof 1000. I've written 3 exams and 700 is the passing score for all. I also writing this in the month of Feb. Any suggestion plzzzzz..:)

Hi David, Congrats on ur success!! im a student and taking the MS 70-480 exam tomorrow! what is the model of the exam? is it MCQ or single question & answers? Pls help!! i wanna pass this exam!!thanks alot! :)

thanks for sharing this information. I would like also to congrats for those who passed the exam and goodluck to those who will be taking soon! no need to be proficient, u have all the references to study online.. David also provide it and its a good thing for all of us.. Great post!